Pages

Thursday, December 15, 2011

A Perspective on Death and Life

I apologize to all my readers. I have not been very good at blogging the past month. As you may or may not know, I came down with a horrendous flu that also sent Hailee and Harpy to the hospital. Then, when I became fully recovered, my spiritual mother went to be with the Lord last Sunday. You can read about that HERE.

Before I learned of Lynn's passing, last week I wrote a post about Jim Elliot and his team who were martyred while trying to reach the Waodani people in Ecuador. Read it HERE. I mentioned lessons I learned from a documentary I watched called Beyond the Gate of Splendor. Then, days later, the woman most dear to me in this life next to my wife and daughters left me.

I hate this world. I really, really do. Now that doesn't mean I'm going to "off" myself so I can enter that "gate of splendor" prematurely.

John 15:19 states:

"As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

So me and the world have a mutual hate relationship. All I know is that there is a very real enemy out there who wants to kill us (John 10:10). And there's a very real human condition theologians call "depravity" which means we and all creation on earth are all subject to the "sin condition" brought to us care of Adam. And I sometimes "do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing" (Rom. 7:19).

But some day...

But some day...

But SOME DAY...

As in Sandi Patti's song, Another Place, Another Time:

So I'm waiting
For another and another place
Where all my hopes and dreams will be captured with one look at Jesus' face
Oh, my heart's been burning, my soul keeps yearning
Sometimes I can hardly wait for that sweet, sweet someday
When I'll be swept away
To another time and another place.

I know. I know. I can hear all my friends say, "Now, Anthony, there's work to be done here on earth. Advance His kingdom while you have breath. Let's get busy."

Thank you, guys. I understand. But I also believe we need to rejoice in His glorious coming. Anticipate it...as "all creation moans."

Death was not God's plan. You really come to realize how true that is when someone you love dies. It's so...unnatural. The heart of God is for mankind to enjoy relationship forever with each other, including with Himself!

I have conducted some 50 or 60 funerals. Each time, I am reminded of that "another place, another time."

Jim Elliot was 29 when he died. My spiritual mother was a young 74. My mother was 67. My father was a young 83. All of my older relatives I used to love and hang out with as a child--all my grandparents--are all gone. I think it's perfectly okay to think about them and to wonder what they're doing this very second in glory. What are they saying to Jesus. What's He saying back to them. What are they saying to each other?

Ah, the joy and laughter that must peal in the heavenlies--cackles and squeals of joy echoing against the pearly gates. What a wonderful thought it is to be among them.

This life is nearly over. Whether you're my age (53) or just three years old. Relatively speaking, life is so, so short.

Until that time when the Lord calls me up yonder, I want to honor Him, my King, AND those who have gone before me. Those heroes in my life and in public life. I want that cloud of witnesses to cheer me on as I run this race, dragging as many as I possibly can through that Gate of Splendor.

There is coming a day,When no heart aches shall come;No more clouds in the sky,No more tears to dim the eye;All is peace forever more,On that happy golden shore;What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,When my Jesus I shall see;And I look upon his face,The One who saved me by His grace;When He takes me by the hand,And leads me through the Promised Land;What a day, glorious day that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there,No more burdens to bear;No more sickness, and no more pain,And no more parting over there;And forever I will be,With the One who died for me;What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,When my Jesus I shall see;And I look upon His face,The One who saved me by his grace;When He takes me by the hand,And leads me through the Promised Land;What a day, glorious day that will be.

Oh I've got a longing, I'm homesick to go,To a land without heartache no sorrow no woe;There's nothing can hold me in this world below,I'm homesick for Heaven, I've got a longing to go.

What a day that will be,When my Jesus I shall see;And I look upon his face,The One who saved me by His grace;When He takes me by the hand,And leads me through the Promised Land;What a day, glorious day that will be.

I too, wonder if it's our age and part of life that we all go through???. All I can say is that it's not a fun place to be! Earlier this week, when we found out that my Mom has had several strokes, I was in fear! All that day and into the night. I prayed, I cried, I pled with Him to not take her Home. And, I began to realize that if/when she did/does pass on, I will be an orphan. Some might disagree. I know I have been Adopted by my Father in Heaven, but my earthly parents will be gone. Please say a prayer for me. I seriously don't know how or if I can deal with my Mom dying. It's a fear I've had for as far back as I can remember.I hope you are feeling better physically, Anthony. And, that you are feeling more Peace over Lynn's death. Hug A and the Kiddoes for me! ~ Jo

Anthony and The Fetching Mrs. Salem

A child of the King of Kings, saved by grace, blessed with a gorgeous South African bride, inside and out, named Adéye, blessed with nine children--three bio boys, five adopted girls and one adopted boy. Loving living life on the edge for Jesus and bringing as many people there as possible before I die.